The obligatory prayers in Islam are the five daily prayers, Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha, together with the Friday prayer for men. They are the second pillar of Islam, and this article lists them with their times and evidence from the Qur’an and Hadith.
The Command to Pray
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at specified times.”
Reference: Qur’an 4:103
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Islam is built upon five: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayer, paying zakah, Hajj to the House, and fasting Ramadan” (Sahih al-Bukhari 8, Sahih Muslim 16). When he sent Mu’adh to Yemen, he told him to teach the people that Allah has made five prayers obligatory in every day and night (Sahih al-Bukhari 1395).
The Five Obligatory Prayers in Islam
- Fajr: two rak’ahs, from dawn until sunrise.
- Dhuhr: four rak’ahs, from after the sun passes its peak until Asr.
- Asr: four rak’ahs, in the afternoon until sunset.
- Maghrib: three rak’ahs, from sunset until the red twilight disappears.
- Isha: four rak’ahs, from the end of twilight until the middle of the night (some say until Fajr).
The times are explained in Qur’an 11:114 and Qur’an 17:78, and in the hadith of Jibril teaching the Prophet ﷺ the times of prayer (Sunan Abi Dawud 393).
The Friday Prayer
Allah says: “O you who believe, when the call is made for prayer on the day of Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade” (Qur’an 62:9). It replaces Dhuhr for men and is obligatory on resident, healthy adult Muslim men.
Why These Prayers Are Important
The Prophet ﷺ said that the five prayers are like a river at one’s door in which a person bathes five times a day (Sahih al-Bukhari 528). He also said: “The first thing a servant will be reckoned for is his prayer” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 413). Read more in the benefits of praying Salah.
Where Scholars Differ
Scholars agree on the five prayers, but differ on some details. The Hanafi school considers Witr a wajib prayer, while the other three schools treat it as a confirmed sunnah. For the start of Asr, the Hanafis say it begins when an object’s shadow is twice its length, while the others say once. They also differ on joining prayers while travelling or in need: the majority allow it, while the Hanafis restrict it to Hajj at Arafah and Muzdalifah, except by a special understanding of timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many obligatory prayers are there in Islam?
Five each day, plus Friday prayer instead of Dhuhr for men.
Who must pray?
Every sane Muslim who has reached puberty. Women are exempt from prayer during menstruation and postnatal bleeding (Sahih al-Bukhari 321).
What if I miss a prayer?
Pray it as soon as you remember (Sahih al-Bukhari 597) and seek forgiveness.
Conclusion
The obligatory prayers in Islam hold the believer’s day together and keep him close to Allah. Prepare for them well with what to do before Salah.
